Jackson Monroe !

I'm a little late posting this but the little guy has arrived! My last day at work was Friday May 3rd. All week I tried to walk and move around as much as I could, although I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and sore. Just getting up from a sitting position was painful, especially getting out of bed! I was doing squats too hoping that it would get things going. I was supposed to have my 40 week check up on Thursday, May 9th (my original due date) but early that morning my dr's office called to cancel because she had to deliver a baby! I'll have to admit I was a little jealous it wasn't me lol! They asked how I was feeling and if I'd been having any contractions, which I hadn't other than the Braxton-Hicks teaser ones. They rescheduled my appointment for the next day. I woke up early Friday morning, around 5am. I had trouble sleeping especially those last couple months of my pregnancy. I don't know that I neccessarily felt like I was having contractions, just more pressure under my belly and it just felt heavy. I also kinda felt like I needed to go to the bathroom off and on but never really could (sorry if TMI!) After a little while of me walking around wondering if labor was starting, Danny had woke up and was asking me how I felt. I just kept saying I wasn't sure. It was getting to the point that it was starting to get uncomfortable and the only way I would feel a little better was squatting down as low as I could get. In between the light contractions I started grabbing a few things for my hospital bag. Then Danny could tell I wasn't messing around lol. We got the kids up and ready to take over to my sister-in-laws by around 6:15 am. They were so excited to hear that the baby was coming. We made our way to the hosital which was about a 25 minute drive. I was feeling contractions but they weren't unbearable yet. I was doing pretty well with them. We arrived at the hosital probably around 7 am and headed up to the OB department. I got all situated in the room and the nurse checked to see how much I was dialated. By that time, I was dialated to 6cm. I knew if this labor was like my other 2, it was going to happen fast! The contractions were beginning to get stronger so I did ask for an epidural. They had to hook up my IV first to get fluids going. The nurse had a really hard time trying to put in the IV which wasn't helping the pain I was feeling from the contractions. She said my veins were rolling. After several attempts they finally had a different nurse come and try it. They checked me again after they finally got the IV in and I was dialated to 8cm! I still wanted my epidural because the contractions were strong and I didn't want to feel the pain from pushing the baby out! Since my water hadn't broken yet my doctor said that she could break my water for me right then and she knew after that it wouldn't be long after that and I would be ready to push. But I still didn't have my epidural yet and told them I did want something for the pain. They ended up doing a spinal instead of the epidural because they only last about 4 hours and they knew that delivery would go pretty fast. At that point I didn't really care what they gave me, just so that I would feel better, lol. Once the spinal was in, my legs started to go numb. I could still feel the contractions quite a bit though. I think the spinal work mostly from my waist down. I reached 10cm within a few minutes and was able to start pushing. By then, I couldn't really feel the pressure as to when I was supposed to push so. I also couldn't really feel myself push. The spinal ended up working great because I couldn't feel a thing even when he came out. At 8:20 am, Jackson arrived and it was such a joy to finally have him in my arms. He weighed in at 7lbs 11 oz and was 20.5 inches long. Surprisingly, he was my smallest child at birth! One thing we did a litte differently during labor was to have just Danny and I in the room. Family did arrive during labor but we told the nurses that we just wanted it to be Danny and I. I felt bad but it just gets too hectic to have all the family around. So, they were excited when they were finally able to come in the room and meet the little man. The only downfall with the spinal was that since it lasts 4 hours, we weren't able to go to my recovery room until almost 1pm. It took forever to get feeling back in my legs and for me to be able to stand up. It was so nice to finally get settled in my room and be able to hold and cuddle my little guy! He was so precious! Everyone kept saying how he looked so much like his big brother! We were released from the hospital on Sunday which also happened to be Mother's Day, so that worked out nice! He's been nothing but a joy ever since, even on those sleepless nights lol!

39 Weeks!!

Well, I've made it 39 weeks!  One more week to go, more or less.  Yesterday was my check-up.  I was dilated to a "good 2 cm"  she said and about 50% thinned out.  I was hoping for a little more progress from last week but oh well.  They say all that doesn't really mean much any way.  Some women are dilated to 3 or 4 for weeks before labor and some go into labor at 0 cm so who knows.  I just hate not knowing lol!!  Its a waiting game from here on out.  Every time I get crampy I start to think is it time?  Could this be it?  But, no, the cramps stop and nothing more happens.  At least I know the end is near because I am 39 weeks.

His head is still down and low because she could feel it when she checked me.  She felt around on my stomach and said he is really crammed in there.  His heartbeat was only about 120-ish compared to his usual 140 range, which she said is fine it just means he's getting bigger and running out of room to move.  Goodness I hope he's not like 10 pounds!!  I've been so worried I'm not going to be able to push him out and I'll need an emergency c-section, but thats probably a fear most moms have.  As long as he's healthy, it doesn't matter he comes out.

I have another appointment next week but it will be past my due date so hopefully I won't need it.  Either way, I'll keep ya updated with any exciting news!!

38 weeks!

Just wanted to update on my 38 week check-up last week.  Doctor did a cervical exam and said I was dialated to about 1-2 cm which she thought was a good sign that things seem like they are starting before 40 weeks, and my cervix was beginning to thin out a little bit but she didn't give me a percentage.  I was hoping to be dialated a little bit more but since he's only been head down a couple of weeks I'm not surprised.  At least things are starting, hopefully!  I'm anxious to see how things have progressed at my next appointment on Thursday. 

I went on about a 20 minute walk last night, which for me right now is a lot, lol.  I felt pretty good, just lots of pressure under belly, which I have that all the time anyways.  When I went to bed last night, I did feel somewhat crampy but of course it ended up going away.  Its supposed to be nice for the next couple of days so I will be going on more walks hopefully. 

Next appointment is Thursday....I'll keep ya updated!!

37 weeks

Yesterday was my 37 week check-up.  I didn't update after my 36 week check-up last week since nothing too eventful happened, other than my group B strep test, which I found out yesterday came back negative.  At my appointment yesterday, my doctor did say that he was head down-finally!! Hopefully he stays that way!  Next week, she said she can start the cervical checks to see if I am dialated at all.  Its so weird, even though my due date is only a little over 2 weeks away, I feel like he's never going to come and I will be pregnant forever.  All of us are getting so anxious to finally meet him!  My Braxton Hicks have been teasing me a little bit.  The other night I woke up in the middle of the night with lower back pain, along with the Braxton Hicks contractions and it started to make me wonder if this was it.  But, I got up and drank some water and they ended up going away. 

Not much else going on.  I'm really getting frustrated with this weather.  We will have a beautiful day in the 70's then the next day be back down in the 40's and rainy.  Ugh :(  Today, it even started snowing a little bit.  This is not the kind of weather I like in April!  Oh well, hopefully soon the nice weather will come and stay for a while!  I'm looking forward to having this baby and being able to play outside with the kids and going on walks.  I'm hoping the weather is nice when I'm off for maternity leave. 

Well, thats all for now.  I'll keep y'all updated.

34 week update

I had my 34 week check-up last Thursday.  My appointments are usually pretty quick and uneventful lol.  They check my blood pressure, which is always good.  I've gained 1 pound since my previous appointment 2 weeks prior, bringing me to a total of 20 pounds.  We listened to his heartbeat, which has been running about 140-ish.  He is not head-down yet though and my doctor says she thinks he was transverse (sideways).  I'm really hoping he turns head-down soon.  She told me that if he still isn't down by 37-38 weeks, they will probably schedule an ultrasound to see exactly what position he's in and go from there.  It could lead to a c-section but she said he still has plenty of time to turn.  I hope so!  I've been trying to tell how he is laying from his movements but I'm so bad about telling whats what.  I can't tell his butt from his head or arms from legs lol!

I'm just so ready for him to get here!  We are so excited to meet him and to be able to hold him in our arms!  Its getting tough sleeping at night, mostly due to being uncomfortable and I get really sore in my hip/pelvic area.  It hurts really bad when I roll from one side to the other.  I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions for quite a while, probably since around 20-22 weeks.  They are usually painless but sometimes can get uncomfortable.  My appetite has been ridiculous lately lol.  I feel like I could be eating constantly.  It doesn't help that the kids have a bunch of Easter candy laying around lol.  Actually, I have been craving ice.  I could sit and eat ice all day long.  Sometimes, I buy a fountain drink just so I can eat the ice after the drink is gone! 

I had a great baby shower March 24th thanks to my sister and sister-in-law.  We got some much needed supplies and baby gear.  I feel so much more prepared now!  Now we just need him to get here :)

My next appointment is next week (36 weeks) so I'll try to update with any exciting news.

tuesday tid-bits

I am so over winter.  I was ready for it back around Christmas time but now it can go away....far, far, away.  I want summer here now!  Times like this I really miss living in Houston.  I miss the weather and the overall environment being so close to the water.  Oh well, once summer finally gets here, I think I will enjoy it more lol! :)

I've been wanting to plan a vacation/mini-vacation for late this summer/ early fall.  Who knows if it will happen but I want to go do something fun.  Danny and I think Pigeon Forge TN would be nice.  I think maybe I'm getting cabin fever from sitting in the house all winter!

Probably one of my worst pregnancy symptoms so far has been heartburn.  Oh my goodness it gets so bad at night before bed and some nights, Ok, most nights, its been waking me up.  I eat Tums like candy and if it helps at all, its only for a few minutes.  I think I might need to take something stronger like Pepcid or something?

I can't wait to buy new clothes after I have this baby!

If anyone else tells me I look like I'm due anyday now, I might just scream!  Yes, I know I'm getting bigger but isn't that normal when you are pregnant?  Maybe I'm just hormonal? ;)


Well, those are just some of the random thoughts in my head right now.  Better go for now :)

Happy birthday Aydan!!

Today my baby turns 6 years old!  I knew he was growing up but 6...really?!  Makes me sad! 

Here's some random tid-bits about big Aydan:

• He loves all superheroes right now.  Batman, Superman, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, you name it, but his favorite is Spiderman.
• He is learning to read.  This seems so crazy to me!  He started off kindergarten knowing his ABC's but not sure what sounds all the letters made.  Now he can sit down and read me a book from school.
• He's a pretty good little dancer.  Sometimes when I have music playing in the house, he will bust out some moves and he does pretty good, lol ;)
• He loves playing on my and Danny's phones and he's pretty quick to figure them out.
• He is only about 1 shoe size behind his big sissy (who is 5 years older!)
• His favorite foods are tortellini, pizza, fruit, PB & J's, and cereal.
• His favorite color seems to change alot but he usually says red, blue, or green. :)
• When he grows up he wants to be a Race Car Driver/ Monster Truck Driver.  Although, the other night we were watching some cooking show on Food Network where they were judging the chef's desserts.  Aydan said he wanted to be 'that guy' (the judge) when he grew up so he could try all the different desserts, lol!

We love you Aydan!!!